I am not a big Azarenka fan and was rooting for Na Li to beat her last night. However she deserves more respect than she seems to be getting. She defended her title, something that seems rare these days in womens tennis. The last 2 slam finals she was in where both thrilling encounters, the U.S Open final narrow loss to Serena, and last nights narrow win over Na Li, which both Serena and Na contributed to as well of course. She is also the first #1 since Henin and Serena some years back to both play consistently enough on the regular tour to be ranked #1, and to have the capacity to regularly contend and win some of the big titles to justify that ranking. Yes she took a questionable MTO, but this is the WTA, who doesnt do that in the last 15 years.

But I can't respect her gamemanship. Not the MTO (although that was suspect also), but the horrible wailing, which is clearly not necessary and is a constant hindrance to her opponent, not to mention an assault on the ears of the hapless spectators.

But I can't respect her gamemanship. Not the MTO (although that was suspect also), but the horrible wailing, which is clearly not necessary and is a constant hindrance to her opponent, not to mention an assault on the ears of the hapless spectators.

Maybe she should dish out some respect before thinking she's entitled to it. Anyone who is nasty to the ball kids is instantly blacklisted for me. And that's not the only thing I dislike about her, either.

Maybe she should dish out some respect before thinking she's entitled to it. Anyone who is nasty to the ball kids is instantly blacklisted for me. And that's not the only thing I dislike about her, either.

I agree with the OP with the terrible slamless number one players like Caroline Wozniacki women's tennis finally has a young player who is a multiple slam champion. Maybe Victoria's success is going to inspire the other women. Women's tennis needs more mentally tough players like Azarenka who can come through a slam and win titles. I wasn't sure about Azarenka before the Australian Open if she's the real deal but she proved it by defending her title.

Li did not deserve to win, and was not as "impressive" as some tried to sell her. When facing a real opponent in Azarenka, the Li wheels fell off, and she had no answers. Then again, her coach may have much to do with that, as one of his former clients also reached a point where she had no answers for real opponents.

Azarenka fully earner her second major, and as far as the new guard is concerned, she's in a top class above the rest.

Kills me how because she grunts or whatever, their is so much hate to the point of supporting a female LA in the sport of tennis. I think the ESPN commentating said it all, she is better mover at 31? 32? than Vica, and than she ever was, and funny she don't look as fit as Nav did in her early 30's (she about wrote the book on it) and she clearly was showing signs of slowing down at that point in age. Hmmm makes you wonder doesn't it, not just about Li, but about anyone that would support her, throw in her slip comment about her Russian or was it a German "Nutritionist".

To the origianal point, yes she does deserve all the credit, she even payed for the possible exaggerated MTO dealing with 2 and the 10 min fireworks on her serve in the 3rd...

Li was the same trainwreck she was in the final against Clijsters. Winning the first set but in such a negative, angry, stressed-out state of mind that her opponent only had to keep the ball in play to win the match.

Maybe it's her character, but Azarenka is one of the ugliest out there to me. I have no idea how anyone can call her "sexy". She may play pretty good tennis, but she is mentally weak and flat out classless. Not a good role model to be standing on top of women's tennis. And I haven't even mentioned that awful, deliberate hooting grunt she does.

Li was the same trainwreck she was in the final against Clijsters. Winning the first set but in such a negative, angry, stressed-out state of mind that her opponent only had to keep the ball in play to win the match.

.

I agree. Li Na was an UE machine. Mentally all over the place. A real gift to get that poor woman in a final. Rodriguez may have helped her game but he sure hasn't cracked the mental issues.

Maybe it's her character, but Azarenka is one of the ugliest out there to me. I have no idea how anyone can call her "sexy". She may play pretty good tennis, but she is mentally weak and flat out classless. Not a good role model to be standing on top of women's tennis. And I haven't even mentioned that awful, deliberate hooting grunt she does.

I'm a young male. I'm very visual. I like the way she's put together. I wasn't commenting on her character. I was keeping it strictly in the physical realm.

I am not a big Azarenka fan and was rooting for Na Li to beat her last night. However she deserves more respect than she seems to be getting. She defended her title, something that seems rare these days in womens tennis. The last 2 slam finals she was in where both thrilling encounters, the U.S Open final narrow loss to Serena, and last nights narrow win over Na Li, which both Serena and Na contributed to as well of course. She is also the first #1 since Henin and Serena some years back to both play consistently enough on the regular tour to be ranked #1, and to have the capacity to regularly contend and win some of the big titles to justify that ranking. Yes she took a questionable MTO, but this is the WTA, who doesnt do that in the last 15 years.